Backstreet's back. They said it first. And then, the Backstreet Boys said it over and over through the whole debacle last night at the Midland.
A few minutes before the Backstreet Boys -- henceforth referred to as BSB -- graced Kansas City with their presence, the crowd of young girls and their moms (along with a few gay boys) chanted, "BACKSTREET BOYS! BACKSTREET BOYS!" I haven't encountered a crowd that willing to show such anticipation for any artist in a really long time; maybe ever. Girls snapped photos of themselves against the backdrop of an empty stage. The lights dimmed just a hair, and the music got a little louder. Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" pumped, old and worn-out, through the speakers and everyone sang along. We were ready to party like it's 2005. Awesome!
The four boys, now grown and approaching middle age, popped through -- yes, through -- the projection screen. One BSB was missing. (Kevin Richardson, oldest member of the original BSB, is no longer with the band. I don't know why, nor do I care enough to take 10 seconds and to Google that shit.) Anyway, they came bursting out of the screen, and what song do you think they open with? You guessed it! "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)."
Perhaps BSB sealed their own fate so many years ago (17, to be exact, as Brian Littrell kept repeating throughout the show) with the title of their second album, Backstreet's Back. It seems that the guys didn't realize in 1997 that, unfortunately, you gotta get somewhere in order to come back. These dudes have sold a shit-ton of records, but it was too soon. If they had kept that in their pocket for a little while, Backstreet's comeback could have had some potential.
Regardless, everyone in the crowd went bonkers. I had to move because the girl behind me sounded like a hyena in heat. The creepiest part of the show, in between the bizarre movie trailer remakes featuring one of the boys in each, was when A.J. Mclean entered the stage with a camera. He started taking shots of all the underagers in the front row. Weirdly inappropriate, these guys don't really seem in tune with the reality of what they were, and what they have become. The BSB thanked the crowed several times for years of support, even though Littrell tried to make light of the fact that "most of you weren't even born when we started making music."
Jerky, slowed-down dance moves in unison showed a more mature BSB. Though the crotch grabbing and head-nods to the ladies (the majority of under-agers in the front freaked!) formula was present, it was uncomfortable to watch. Plain and simple: these guys are old. They shuffled around the stage in their famously ripped-off Motown moves. The audience ate it up. And I'm glad for them. I am glad for the crowd who sang along to every old song, and focused contentedly at the new ones. I am glad those dudes can still make money doing what they love. It was like being at an Evangelical revival. These people were all becoming born-again-BSB-fans.Showing 1-12 of 12
A big DITTO to what Krysta said.
I immediately dismiss any writer's "review" if they can't manage to separate their obvious personal music preferences over being handed an assignment by their boss to review a band they obviously despise. Talk about a lack of objectivity. Maybe Ms. Reinertson should go work for someone like FOX news, which celebrates their inability to be objective. She'd fit right in.
I want to be a writer for the Pitch too, so *I* can be rude and nasty and unprofessionally vent my feelings towards music groups I personally dislike, instead of writing an actual concert review like I am supposed to.
You don't like the Backstreet Boys. We get it. We got it from your first few sentences. GET OVER IT, AND GET OVER YOURSELF. They put on a great show for those people that matter. And no, it wasn't a crowd of 13 year-olds; most of the people I saw were probably in their early twenties like myself.
I also fail to see what's "creepy" about having your picture taking at a concert. I think it's very cool that they post pictures of their fans on their website. Not every artist will do that, just like not every artist will dedicate songs to their fans, or thank their fans in the notes of just about every album. The Backstreet Boys are classy and that is why I love them.
Again, get OVER your personal dislike of the band. Maybe next time someone else should write these "reviews", because this wasn't a "review", it was someone's personal opinion of how much she dislikes the Backstreet Boys.
This article is the debacle itself. The Backstreet Boys are seasonal performers, with amamzing voices, songs and put on a great show. Where did all that "old dirty men" insinuation come from? This is not the first or I'm sure the last unflattering review but as a fan I'm personally insulted. I took my daughters to a concert and it was one of the best concerts I enjoyed with the daughters. The last paragraph does not redeem Nicole in my eyes.
BTW, I'm assuming there's a book out there about writing blogs for free papers about aging pop acts, because this seems like it's ripped straight from a template.
Try to be original. You're writing the same things they've been writing for years. Instead of focusing on the fact that they have the audacity to still dance even though they're *gasp* in their 30s, you might have paid attention to what led to their success and has kept them around for 17 years, the fact that they can sing, and sing damned well, while doing those dances. This is what made them outlast every other group from their heyday.
I used to be a music snob, too. There's not a lot of fun in that.
The fan base is not all underage. You seem to be living in 1999 as much as you think the guys are. I know it's cool to be snarky about them, but you don't have to be snarky about the fanbase.
Laura said it right. It's one unhappy-at-life lesbian against a packed house full of happy fans who waited in line for hours, who have enjoyed their music for years, and who absolutely loved the show. Sorry, you lose! (By the way, take a look at the author's Facebook and see what bands she DOES like: Ninjasonik, JAPANTHER, capybara, Bat For Lashes? Ummmm... yeah, right. Ha ha ha ha. Sorry for never having heard of these people!)
Jealous much? :P
Hah, I was one of the "underagers" in the front row. Who knew that 25 is considered underage?
It was truly a fantastic show. They guys have never looked better. Can't wait to see them again!!
Hahaha... I was at this show too! Shamefully.. I took my cousin cause she was a big fan, back in the day. They were really old. They did move a little slower... but as a show for fans, it was pretty satisfying. I put "recommend" on ticketmaster. Puhahah... I should've caveatted it as "recommend if you were a fan."
This reads like the typical 15 year old high school male reaction to boybands back when. If I read between the snarky lines colored with the writer's obvious prejudice I see a music group highly anticipated by its audience that seems to have delivered exactly what that same audience wanted. Um....sounds like a successful and satisfying night was had by all those that matterred. Sorry you were forced to watch and write.
I'm straight, and I'm a BSB fan (will be at their So. Cali concerts later this week). I'm into the harmonies. Same reason fans of the Beach Boys and BoyzIIMen - male, female, straight, gay - enjoyed their music.
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